DogTime Blogs

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Some animals have a tendency to eat non food items or "foreign bodies". Sometimes the foreign bodies may pass through the gut without causing a problem but frequently they become lodged in the stomach or small intestines creating an obstruction. An obstruction is a surgical emergency!

Some of the common foreign bodies removed from animal gastrointestinal tracts include:
  • corn cobs
  • stones from fruit such as nectarines and peaches
  • plastic and string packaging around meat products
  • fish hooks
  • string/wool (cats)
The common symptoms of obstruction include:
  • poor appetite
  • vomiting
  • lethargy
  • weight loss
  • pain

If you are concerned your pet may have eaten a foreign body or is displaying any of these symptoms, seek veterinary advice immediately as surgery may be required.

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